January 21, 2002

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
OF SOUTH LYON COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
DISTRICT #63-240 COUNTIES OF
OAKLAND, LIVINGSTON AND WASHTENAW
HELD AT SOUTH LYON CITY & SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

CALL TO ORDER
Mrs. Orendach called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m.

ROLL CALL
Present: Connelly, Curry, Ehlert, Orendach, Reinders, Taulbee
Absent: Beagle

The board set aside a moment of silence to honor and reflect the life and principles exhibited by Dr. Martin Luther King.

The board, administration and the audience joined in the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION
The month of January is designated as National School Board Recognition Month. It is an opportunity to build community awareness and understanding about the crucial role an elected board of trustees assumes in a representative democracy. Their commitment to service and public education affects the present and future lives of our children and our communities. Dr. Pearson thanked the board on behalf of the administration, staff and community. He applauded the diligent efforts they put forth to advocate toward good things for our students. He noted that school board members make decisions that affect 1.7 million Michigan children and $12 billion in educational expenditures each year.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Orendach offered an opportunity for public comments. There were none.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Mr. Taulbee, supported by Mr. Reinders to approve the following minutes:

Roll Call: Reinders-yes, Taulbee-yes, Connelly-yes, Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes, Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

RESOLUTION - CONSTRUCTION OF A SECOND HIGH SCHOOL
A resolution is necessary to direct the superintendent to begin the planning process for a second high school. It also speaks to the issue of a bond. Dr. Pearson asked the board for their approval.

Moved by Mr. Ehlert, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the resolution as presented.

Roll Call: Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes, Connelly-yes, Taulbee-yes, Reinders-yes, Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

DISTRICT FACILITIES COMMITTEE
The board will submit a charge to a District Facilities Committee, which is being formed for an upcoming bond issue. The target date for a report to the board is the end of May or beginning of June. The charge is as follows: “The District Growth and Facilities Committee is charged with making recommendations to the Board of Education regarding the content and dollar amount of the next bond issue, working within the parameter that the total bond issue cost will not raise the current tax rate. When making this recommendation, the committee will consider the major components of the bond issue, including but not limited to, the physical structure of a second high school, land acquisition and new technology equipment.” Dr. Pearson noted that February 21st is the date of the first meeting. There are 21 members on the committee consisting of (1) facilitator, (2) board members, (4) administrators, (1) architect, (7) teachers, (5) parents and (1) student.
Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the charge as presented.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carried.

HIRING OF INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF
Resignations necessitate the hiring of instructional staff. Marilyn Mitchell asked the board to approve the hiring of Sheli Day, Bartlett 3rd grade effective December 19, 2001.

Moved by Mr. Reinders, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the hiring of Sheli Day as presented.

Roll Call: Ehlert-yes, Taulbee-yes, Reinders-yes, Curry-yes, Connelly-yes, Orendach-yes. Motion carried 6-0.

NEW COURSE PROPOSALS
Five new courses (Music Appreciation, Music Theory, Physical Education Foundations, Advanced Athletic Conditioning and 3D Graphics Design) were shared with the board at the December 17 meeting. Changes were requested for all but the two music courses. Those changes have been made. Dr. Schmeichel asked the board to approve the Music Appreciation course to begin in the 2003-2004 school year and the remainder of the courses to begin in the 2002-2003 school year. The board chose to vote on each course individually.

Music Appreciation
Moved by Mr. Curry, supported by Mrs. Connelly to approve the Music Appreciation course to begin in the 2003-2004 school year as presented.

The board asked questions and offered comments. Mr. Ehlert expressed his concern that the HS SIP had some questions regarding the possibility of overlapping some of the content with the current Humanities course. He felt that the SIP did not endorse the course as is, and that they wanted to give flexibility to the new person that would be hired to teach the course before this endorsement. He did not feel comfortable approving a course that the SIP did not approve first. The board indicated they wished to wait to approve the course when the content of the class was fully developed.

Mr. Curry withdrew his motion.

Moved by Mr. Curry, supported by Mrs. Connelly to endorse the concept of the Music Appreciation course, but not approve the class until the development of the content is complete and has been through the process.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carried.

Music Theory
Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the Music Theory course as presented.

The board asked questions and offered comments. Mr. Ehlert asked if this course was a pilot course. Dr. Schmeichel answered that it was not. Mr. Ehlert then expressed his concern that there would not be a formal assessment of the course. After much discussion it was the consensus of the board that a written formal assessment should be done after the first year that any new class is introduced.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carried.

Physical Education Foundations
Moved by Mr. Curry, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the Physical Education Foundations course as presented.

Mr. Curry spoke to his motion and commented that his earlier concerns were addressed and that the objectives are clear and appropriate and that the assessments match what students are asked to do.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carried.

Advanced Athletic Conditioning
Moved by Mr. Ehlert, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the Advanced Athletic Conditioning course as presented.

The board asked questions and offered comments regarding selection of students for the class, the number of times a student can take the class, student pullout and the possible financial cost tied with this.

Moved by Mr. Ehlert, supported by Mr. Taulbee to offer an amendment to restrict student pullout by certified teachers only.

Ayes - 4 (Reinders, Taulbee, Ehlert, Orendach)
Nays - 2 (Connelly, Curry) Motion passes 4-2.

Moved by Mr. Ehlert, supported by Mr. Taulbee to offer another amendment to the motion that indicates that any pullout, if it does occur, does not incur any additional financial cost to the district in terms of an increase in teacher or coach pay.

Ayes - 4 (Reinders, Taulbee, Ehlert, Orendach)
Nays - 2 (Connelly, Curry) Motion passes 4-2.

Moved by Mr. Curry, supported by Mrs. Connelly to offer an amendment to the motion that would eliminate the pullout program for this course.

Ayes - 2 (Connelly, Curry)
Nays - 4 (Reinders, Taulbee, Ehlert, Orendach) Motion fails 2-4.

Moved by Mr. Taulbee, supported by Mr. Reinders to offer an amendment to the motion that first time students will have priority to enroll in this course over repeating students.

Ayes - 4 (Reinders, Taulbee, Curry, Orendach)
Nays - 2 (Connelly, Ehlert) Motion passes 4-2.

The following vote is on the original motion with the amendments:

Ayes - 4 (Reinders, Taulbee, Ehlert, Orendach)
Nays - 2 (Connelly, Curry) Motion passes 4-2.

The board took a ten-minute recess.

3D Graphics Design
Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Reinders to approve the 3D Graphics Design course as presented.

The board asked questions and offered comments.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carries.

SOCIAL STUDIES SCOPE & SEQUENCE & GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
The revised Social Studies Scope and Sequence along with the graduation requirements were shared with the board at the January 7 meeting. There are two changes to the scope and sequence: 1) the AP substitution list was in error and should not have included Economics and 2) Street Law II will be dropped due to the elimination of the elective for the required half credit. Dr. Schmeichel asked the board for their approval.

Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Taulbee to approve the Scope and Sequence with the above changes, approve the 11th grade requirement of a half credit of Economics effective for the Class of 2004 and approve the 10th grade requirement of one (1) credit, two semesters, of either World History or Global Studies effective for the Class of 2006.

The board asked questions and offered comments.

Ayes - 6, Nays - 0. Motion carries.

REVISION TO BOARD POLICY 8715 (ATHLETIC/EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION
The revision to board policy 8715 (Athletic/Extracurricular Program Participation) was brought to the board on January 7. Requested changes were made. Marilyn Mitchell asked the board for their approval.

Moved by Mrs. Connelly, supported by Mr. Ehlert to approve the policy as presented.

The board asked questions and offered comments.

Roll Call: Curry-yes, Ehlert-yes, Taulbee-no, Reinders-no, Connelly-yes, Orendach-yes. Motion carried 4-2.

LEGISLATION
There was no new legislation to offer the board.

BOARD COMMITTEE REPORTS
President Orendach acknowledged the following board committee reports:

Peggy Connelly, Secretary